And judging by the number of self-made millionaires that have
come out from countries with a purported "welfare state" or which
you describe as socialist society, doesn't it mean that both can
exist together?
As for high taxes, sure, you get taxed more, especially if you are
in the higher income brackets. But at the end of the day, your take
home and disposable income is more, your dollar stretches further,
you get actual tangible benefits of paying taxes and when the day
comes that you're retired, you'll be taken care of.
If you don't want to live in such a culture, then "quit".
Why thank you, thats exactly what I plan to do.
Thats where you are wrong my friend. Because of a more forgiving
and less judgemental society, it is actually a place where hard
work could actually get you further than you ever could in
Singapore. Of course, having good family connections, being born to
a rich family and going to top schools help. Just look at Bill
Gates and Herb Kelleher (SouthWest Airlines). Could they have got
to the top in Singapore? A look at Sim Wong Hoo's treatment by the
government when he was starting out should tell you the
answer.
In Singapore we have a lot of degree holders who lack the riches
and connections in their families, those are the very
personification of who you define as "average schmucks" or whom a
local journalist referred to as "Second-lower brigade". They
struggle with an ever shrinking paycheck, CPF account to make
payments for an overpriced pigeon hole till they're in their 40s
(if they're lucky). And guess what, they work their socks
off!
You should reap exactly what you sow. In a welfare state, that is
no longer true.
So I guess that all those unemployed in Singapore are reaping
exactly what they sowed? Because your point so far, has been to
emphasize that Singapore's system is one that is fair and just and
where rewards are in proportion to their input.
You can do that anywhere. The difference comes when your
potential to fail is realised and then you see the difference in
the help you get to pick yourself up again.
Of course, do you see any statements where people are encouraged
to fail in Canada or Australia? The difference is that failure does
not mark you with a stigma in these countries, and the definition
of success is different from what we have here.
